English Articles
The six shastras of the Indian tradition are mainly referred to as the Agamas because they cover a wide expanse of the Indian tradition. However, they also have historical significance which goes beyond Indian philosophy. These are a set of texts that are considered authoritative in Indian religious life and practice. In this article, we …
Agamashastra – The Root Text of Hindu Law and Religion Read More »
Mantra is a kind of prayer that is used to get the attention of the other beings. This technique is also used in performing all rituals that will be performed on the auspicious occasions or on a sad day. Mantra has the power to influence the mind of any human being who wants to perform …
Mantra for Stress Management – Mastering the Art of Chanting a Mantra Read More »
Pancha Bhoothas (also known as Shubhatas) are yoga positions that originate in the discipline of Ashtanga yoga. The origin of the term, Pancha, is a Sanskrit word meaning a circle. The five elements of nature and the space in which they exist are depicted by the circle. When art positions are used in conjunction with …
The Unani medical system was introduced to India a few thousand years ago by the Muslims and grew very popular among the Indian population. It has now been widely practiced in the Indo-Pakistan region. The Unani doctors who initially settled in India took up several new medicines from the foreign culture and thus the Unani …
According to traditional texts and beliefs of Indian siddha medicine, the imbalance of these elements brings about disease, pain, and suffering. To remedy the imbalance of these elements, there are various cures including exercises and diets, breathing techniques, yoga, meditation, and mudra. According to traditional texts, yoga and meditation are two of the most important …
Siddha medicine is an alternative traditional medicine originated in South India. It is also one of the oldest systems of alternative medicine in the world. The Indian Medical Association classifies Siddha medicines as “fake” and “quackery,” posing a serious risk to national health because of lack of adequate research in pharmacology-based medicine-based science. In addition, …
What is Religion? Religion can be described as a system of thought that has its roots in ancient civilizations around the world. Over time, various people have formulated different religions as they have evolved from being simple customs to an organized set of beliefs and practices. There are several types of religious organizations in the …
A Brief Introduction to Hinduism and Other Hindu Religious Practice Read More »
In discussing the difference between philosophical religious studies and religious theology, it is important to point out that philosophy is a more academic discipline, while religion is much more subjective. Philosophical religious studies typically makes use of different methodologies to try to understand religion as a deeper cultural phenomenon. However, religion can be studied theoretically. …
The word Ayurveda literally means “the healing” or “life giving.” In Ayurveda, Dosha are basically the underlying principles of psychology and physiology. They are both the fundamental and prime determining factors of the body. They keep the physical body in perfect balance. Each dosha is a part of the constitution of an individual human being. …
Naturopathy is one of the major forms of alternative medicine which utilizes an extensive range of medical practices traditionally labeled as “alternative,” “complementary,” or “homeopathic.” The philosophy and techniques of naturopathy are based upon folk medication and vitalism, instead of evidence-based conventional medicine. Many naturopaths practice “holistic” care, advocating a complete lifestyle approach to disease …